KIFAYA: The Egyptian Movement for Change, best known by its slogan “Kifaya” (Enough), was founded by 300 Egyptian intellectuals from various ideological backgrounds in November 2004 at a meeting at the home of al-Wasat party leader Abu ‘l-Ala Madi. The meeting was planned to discuss political opportunities in light of the upcoming 2005 parliamentary elections. The groups agreed to set up a small committee of seven members, and a conference soon thereafter attended by more than 500 people concluded with the creation of the Kifaya movement. Rather than a political party, Kifaya is best described as a coalition movement of political forces united only by a shared call for an end to President Hosni Mubarak’s rule.
Using simple but potent slogans, Kifaya called for political reforms and criticized the extension of Mubarak’s presidential term, the succession of Gamal Mubarak, government corruption, and Egypt’s state of emergency in place since 1981. The movement organized unauthorized demonstrations in brazen opposition to the legitimacy of Mubarak’s regime, being the first group to directly criticize it and other ruling elites. Following an initial protest in December 2004 of approximately 300 political activists gathered outside the High Court in downtown Cairo, in January 2005 protests were held in more strategic locations to attract greater attention (always accompanied by a generous police force) including at the Cairo Book Fair, on university campuses, and downtown in Tahrir Square. Finally by spring of 2005, protests had spread outside of Cairo; in April, anti-regime demonstrations were held simultaneously in fourteen cities. >>>
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Dear President Hosni Mubarak (Raiisna Koleena):
After 25 years, we the descendants of the privileged Egyptian masses and the Egyptian diaspora and their supporters, have been blessed (guess it rubs off from your name) with economic prosperity, sound governance, occasional Titanics/terrorist attacks, and of course, your strong commitment to a prospering, democratic Egypt. No wonder you received 88 percent of your unemployed, impoverished, and frustrated people's vote! Life without you would be difficult or simply unimaginable!WIKI: La Vache qui rit / The Laughing Cow >>>
However, we are willing to take that chance and to let you go. Given the long, dedicated years of service to your country and its citizens, we believe that it is time for you to take a break. Or perhaps a long vacation. Wouldn't it be great for you to take Mrs. Mubarak and to buy a house in Sharm El-Sheikh (or the Amazon) using the Treasury's money or American foreign aid (if you haven't done so already)? With all due respect, sir, you are getting old, and there really is no reason for you to worry about politics these days. Instead, we believe it is time for you to connect with the Divine (you really must!) and spend time with Gamal's children (We really hope he gives you many).
We understand it will be difficult for you to make that transition from 'democratic ruler' to civilian, but trust that everything shall be fine. We are sure that if you were able enough to convince the Americans that you are the most competent man to rule the largest Arab nation in the world and that you are the path to democracy in your region, then you will manage to do just fine.
Your achievements shall speak for themselves. Their effects will be felt by many generations of Egyptians to come. So, just leave it at that. What better way to end a long, fruitful career in your case, than just to end it?
As the future of Egypt, we hope you take our advice (since in our democracy, that is all we can really give) and leave the reigns of Egypt to another (and preferably, someone with no genetic resemblance to you.)
We sincerely wish you great future successes. If you insist on further shedding your great leadership and expertise ruling, we hear that North Korea is looking. You know what your party members say: If you can't beat them, join them!
Great job these past 25 years! Just please no more!
Respectfully yours,
The New Kifaya (Enough) Movement [Source: Facebook]
